Edina Public Schools — Transcript
Monday, July 13, 2026
Welcome of New Cabinet Member
School Board Goals for 2026-2027
Superintendent Goals
Policy Review: Process, Student Attendance, Independent Providers, Student Surveys, Educational Competencies, and Accountability
District Staffing and Planning
Student Programming
Facility Construction Projects
Superintendent Evaluation Summary
Votes (8)
Removal of e-learning days from Consent Agenda
Dissent: None
Moved by Unknown [00:00:30] · Seconded by Unknown [00:00:35]
A board member requested the removal of e-learning days for separate discussion to clarify details for the community. The board moved to remove this specific item from the consent agenda via roll call vote.
Approval of Remainder of Consent Agenda (excluding e-learning days)
Dissent: None
Moved by Unknown [00:01:05] · Seconded by Unknown [00:01:10]
Following the removal of the e-learning days item, the board proceeded to approve the rest of the consent agenda as presented.
Approval of E-Learning Days
Dissent: None
Moved by Director Ellenberg [00:01:25] · Seconded by Director Man [00:01:35]
Director Ellenberg requested clarification on the e-learning day policy, prompting Superintendent Bitman to explain that these days are specifically for inclement weather and not general online learning, beginning on the fourth day of such events. The policy ensures parent access to information regarding student learning and teacher interaction.
Approval of Student Handbooks for 2026-2027
Dissent: None
Moved by Unknown [00:26:07] · Seconded by Unknown [00:26:10]
Assistant Superintendent Swenson presented the student handbooks, which had undergone multiple review opportunities by the board, requesting their annual approval to establish a rhythm for future years.
Approval of Long-Term Facilities Maintenance Plan for Fiscal Years 2028-2037
Dissent: None
Moved by Unknown [00:27:00] · Seconded by Unknown [00:27:05]
Director Woodard presented the 10-year rolling financial plan, highlighting a marginal tax rate increase (25.5% from 25.36%) offset by reduced pay-as-you-go levies. He explained that costs for 'heavy ticket items' like mechanical and roofing systems are stabilizing or decreasing due to past investments, shifting focus to interior surfaces. Director Burman questioned future cost increases due to aging infrastructure, to which Woodard responded that near-term costs might flatten or decrease.
Approval of Proposed 2026-2028 Collective Bargaining Agreement between ISD 273 and the Edina Administrative Council
Dissent: None
Moved by Unknown [00:31:00] · Seconded by Unknown [00:31:05]
Executive Director Sonia Sailor presented the ratified agreement for principals and assistant principals, noting a 2-year total package increase of $480,797 (6.5% under MSBA costing formula). Key financial highlights included step advancements, salary increases (3.4% and 4%, with an additional market adjustment for the high school principal), increased contributions to the MSRS healthcare savings plan, health insurance, and 403b match. Language revisions aimed to improve clarity and align with best practices.
Approval of Proposed 2026-2028 Collective Bargaining Agreement between ISD 273 and the Service Employees International Union Local 284 Transportation Employees
Dissent: None
Moved by Unknown [00:34:00] · Seconded by Unknown [00:34:05]
Executive Director Sailor presented the ratified agreement for transportation employees, detailing a 2-year total package increase of $466,48 (6.73% under MSBA costing formula). Key highlights included step advancements, wage schedule improvements for bus drivers (3% to step one, 4-4.5% to longevity steps), and mechanics/route programmers (5% in both years). Health insurance contributions increased, and vacation schedules were adjusted. Discussion also covered the challenges of staffing transportation positions, particularly bus drivers and mechanics, and the district's efforts to maintain competitive wages to attract and retain staff.
Approval of Policies 410, 539, 618, 629, and 902
Dissent: None
Moved by Unknown [00:38:00] · Seconded by Unknown [00:38:05]
Policy Chair Ellenburg confirmed that these policies had been reviewed against the MSBA model and applicable laws, with no changes from the previous month's discussion, leading to a straightforward approval.
Notable Quotes (8)
I apologize. I didn't mention this earlier, but I was wondering if we could remove the e-learning days from the consent agenda.
This particular plan just involves days that are at-home learning days specific to inclement weather. So these are very specific to that need. Uh this does not have to do with online learning type programs.
I wanted to make sure and Superintendent Bitman I was hoping that you could highlight um because e-learning days did shift um I think it was maybe two years ago where we don't automatically go to e-learning days. I was hoping you could just reinforce for the community um how these work in like 10 seconds and that's I just want to make sure we're reinforcing how the e-learning days are working.
I think over the last um you know definitely the last five to 10 years we've focused a lot of our resources on some of the more expensive items such as mechanical systems. Um all of our facilities have brand new mechanical systems.
Do we anticipate that our overall cost basis of maintaining our facilities over the next 10 20 years is going to continually grow? So even though we've been able to manage where we are at this time, do we see any need where the demand on what our facilities are going to require for maintenance the costs continue to rise from that will we see a significant increase over time just to keep pace?
Um that additional adjustment is intended to address a market adjustment to ensure competitiveness with our comparison school districts.
So yes, bus drivers in particular um are it is difficult to stay at full staff with bus drivers, which is one of the reasons that we pay such close attention to our um comparison districts and ensuring that we're competitive with our wages.
I was wondering if one of you could speak to um specifically this um bargaining unit and our ability to keep it fully staffed um and in particular um specific positions such as mechanics um lead mechanics. I know that um in the past and across the state in particular, bus drivers are and transportation officials are one of the harder positions to keep staffed. So I just wanted was wondering if you could speak to that.
Ordinances & Resolutions (18)
Plan for at-home learning days specific to inclement weather, removed from consent agenda for separate discussion.
Board's policy for process of development and adoption of policies; changes recommended by MSBA for technical adjustments and evergreen references.
Student Attendance policy; clarifications around habitual truant definition and expansion of religious exemption.
Referenced in Policy 503, now updated to reference district handbooks.
Independent Provider Programs policy; aims to strengthen accountability while allowing broad access, including new agreements and forms.
Student Surveys policy; significant changes to align with MSBA model to protect students and the district, adding definitions.
Educational Competencies, Academic Standards, Instructional Curriculum policy; minor changes to curriculum definition and language updates in the appendix for talent development.
Referenced in Policy 601 appendix, updated language for consistency in communication.
School District System Accountability policy (evolved from World's Best Workforce to CACR committee policy); re-aligned with district's strategic plan and goal setting, with discussion on diversity of committee membership.
Model policies from the Minnesota School Boards Association used as a reference for policy updates.
Minnesota Department of Education information used for guidance on policy language and practices.
Handbooks for students approved for the upcoming school year, reviewed multiple times by the board.
Financial plan for facility maintenance and capital improvements, a rolling 10-year plan with marginal tax rate increase.
Collective bargaining agreement ratified by the district's principals and assistant principals, covering salary increases, benefits, and market adjustments.
Collective bargaining agreement ratified by transportation employees, addressing wage schedules, health insurance contributions, and vacation schedules to ensure competitiveness and staffing.
A group of policies reviewed against MSBA model policy and applicable laws, approved without further discussion.
Statute reference to be added to Policy 503.
Statute reference to be added to Policy 503.